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Article Source: Xinhua

Article Link: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-10/10/c_137521635.htm

BERLIN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) — The German Aerospace Center (DLR), the University of Stuttgart and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) will jointly build a research facility for energy storage called NADINE (national demonstrator for isentropic energy storages), the DLR announced on Tuesday.

The aim of the research project is to develop new energy storage systems that can store and release large amounts of electrical energy from power plants at higher efficiency levels. The research project will utilize isentropic processes that take place in a closed system in which there is no exchange of heat or matter with the environment.

The NADINE project at the research sites in the German cities of Stuttgart and Karlsruhe focuses on so called “Pumped Heat Thermal Electricity Storages (PTES)”. These systems convert electrical energy into heat or other forms of energy such as mechanical or chemical energy. NADINE is intended to demonstrate that PTES can store electricity with an efficiency of up to 70 percent.

“The transition to renewable energy sources is one of the most urgent challenges for our society. With the development of energy storages, DLR is working on solutions for one of the key topics in energy research,” said Pascale Ehrenfreund, chairwoman of the DLR executive board. “With an increasing share of renewable energies, efficient energy storage systems can ensure a reliable energy supply.”

According to KIT, it is conceivable that coal-fired power plants that are no longer needed can be used to build large-scale heat storage power plants as part of the NADINE project.